Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Udupi, Jun 30: District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj visited the eroded sea site at the Kuthpadi - Padukere area on Thusday, June 29.
After surveying the windstorm hit area, Minister Pramod addressed the media persons and said, "Intense erosion damaged about 120 meters of the Kuthpady-Padukere sea bank. A house, belonging to Sadh Suvarna, was severely hit by massive waves, and three coconut trees have been fully damaged. The protecting stone wall was washed away due to a heavy downpour of about a week."
Pramod Madhwaraj instructed the fisheries department to take immediate safety measures. "With no protection wall, the entire Kuthpady- Padukere enters a dangerous situation," he said.
He instructed tahsildar Maheshchandra to conduct a survey of the area and to note Sadh's house under Basava Vasati Yojana. The existing house was completely damaged and residents, not able to live in it. Nearly 150 loads of stones already dumped on the flood affected area, with a cost of about Rs 25 to 30 lacs.
Under the ADB project, nearly 90 crores of the fund was released for the construction of a 200-meter long protective wall from Kanakoda to Kuthpady. The work was initiated by Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake. Apart from the Malpe area, Maravanthe beach sidewall and Gangolli area were also affected due to a mistake in breakwater alignment.
The minister gave a diplomatic answer when asked about the recent incident of manhandling at the Municipality meeting. He said he did was not aware of it. "If there is any truth in it, I will condemn and definitely take action against them," he assured.
When the minister was told that BJP leaders alleged in a press conference on Wednesday, that the incident was a display of 'Goondaism culture' of the Congress party councillors, he said, "BJP leaders do not have other work but conduct press meet for all these issues. Being in the opposition party, obviously BJP leaders are condemning it. It is a part of their job."
CMC president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje and other party councillors were present on occasion.